Modica, Sicily, Italy Mar. 2, 2024

Modica, Sicily, Italy

When Italy comes to mind, iconic cities like Milan, Rome and Venice often steal the spotlight. However, on the island of Sicily lies a less famous gem—Modica. It"s a city that has risen from the rubble of an earthquake in 1693 to become an architectural wonderland of Baroque-style buildings. With fewer than 60,000 inhabitants, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts cobbled lanes, echoing with powerful footprints—from prehistoric tribes to the ancient Greeks and Romans to the medieval Arabs and Normans. Landmarks like the San Giorgio Cathedral and San Pietro Church awe visitors with their grandeur, and Modica"s recognised chocolate, crafted with Aztec-inspired techniques, tempts the palates of food enthusiasts. So, the next time Italy beckons, how about taking the road less travelled to Modica?

© Sandro Bisaro/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Nature’s own canvas
Mar. 2, 2025Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, Australia
Mar. 2, 2026Harbour and longtail boats at Ko Samui, Thailand

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Sharks, just living their lives
Dec. 5, 2025Maya site of Copán
Apr. 3, 2025Rufous hummingbird
Feb. 5, 2025Scottish Blackface sheep, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Nov. 8, 2023West Indian manatees, Crystal River
Dec. 13, 2023Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Nov. 29, 2024Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
Aug. 12, 2024World Elephant Day
What are these beautiful sandy waves?
The Coast of Death
Feb. 7, 2024St. James Tidal Pool, Cape Town, South Africa
Mar. 18, 2024Elephant Rock, Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
Mar. 12, 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
A mountaintop cultural wonder
Fit for a fairytale
May 4, 2025Star Wars Day
The sprout with amazing potential
The butterfly effect
Jul. 9, 2024Talampaya National Park, Argentina
Sep. 9, 2025A female Eurasian red squirrel, Switzerland
May 8, 2025World Donkey Day
Dec. 12, 2025Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Vancouver, British Columbia
Aug. 3, 2024Three Natural Bridges, Wulong National Park, China
Preserving Alaskas natural beauty
Feb. 20, 2024Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, UK
Like a waterfall, free and wild
One rare streak
Sep. 30, 2024Walruses in Svalbard, Norway
Apr. 12, 2024Arches National Park, Utah, USA
Sep. 28, 2023World Maritime Day